Method for treating bladder cancer

ABSTRACT

A method for treating bladder cancer including the steps of administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by bladder cancer, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/423,869, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING BLADDER CANCER,” filed Feb. 3,2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,839,621, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/867,626, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKINCANCER,” filed Sep. 28, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/867,585, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKINCANCER,” filed Sep. 28, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/519,510, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKINCANCER,” filed Oct. 21, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,504,667, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/952,236, entitled “METHODFOR TREATING SKIN CANCER,” filed Jul. 26, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.8,865,772, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/676,093, entitled “METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN CANCER,” filed Jul.26, 2012—which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety, including all references cited therein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a method for treatingbladder cancer (e.g., urothelial carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma,papillary carcinoma, flat carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma,adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, etcetera) and, moreparticularly, to a method for treating a plurality of forms of bladdercancer including, but not limited to, cancer arising from the epitheliallining of the urinary tract.

2. Background Art

Bladder cancer, also known as urothelial carcinoma (transitional cellcarcinoma), is a type of cancer that is found in the lining of theurinary tract including the pelvis, ureters, bladder, and parts of theurethra. The most common form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma.Bladder cancer occurs in people of all races and can affect people ofany age. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in menand the ninth most common cancer in women. Bladder cancer is responsiblefor approximately 170,000 deaths per year in the United States.

While doctors do not know the exact cause of bladder cancer, tobacco isbelieved to be the main known contributor. Occupational exposure in theworkplace to carcinogens such as benzidine (i.e., aromatic amines) canalso result in bladder tumors. Occupations at risk for exposure tobezidine are bus drivers, rubber workers, motor mechanics, leatherworkers, blacksmiths, machine setters, mechanics, andhairdressers—because of the frequent exposure to permanent hair dyes.One other modifiable factor that is less strongly associated withbladder cancer, is obesity.

Bladder cancer or urothelial carcinoma is often described based on howfar they have invaded the wall of the bladder. Papillary carcinomas, ornon-invasive bladder cancer, grow in slender, finger-like projectionsfrom the inner surface of the bladder toward the hollow center.Papillary tumors often grow toward the center of the bladder withoutgrowing into the deeper bladder layers. Low-grade (slow growing),non-invasive papillary cancer tends to have a good outcome. Flatcarcinomas are another example of non-invasive bladder cancer. Flatcarcinomas do not grow toward the hollow part of the bladder. If eithera papillary or flat tumor grows into deeper layers of the bladder, it iscalled an invasive urothelial carcinoma. Invasive bladder cancers aremore likely to spread and are much harder to treat.

Other cancers that can start in the bladder are squamous cell carcinoma,adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and sarcoma.

To the best of Applicant's knowledge, the current treatment of bladdercancer involves invasive surgery, radical cystectomy, intravesicaltherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or immunotherapy. However,these treatments are replete with drawbacks such as flu-like symptoms,extreme fatigue, hair-loss, DNA damage, development of secondary cancer,cell migration into the bloodstream, and complications from surgery.

Alternative methods for treating bladder cancer have been known in theart for years and are the subject of a plurality of patents and/orpublications, including, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,734 entitled“Treatment of Bladder and Urinary Tract Cancers,” U.S. Pat. No.7,268,120 entitled “Methods for Treating Cancer UsingCytokine-Expressing Polynucleotides,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,438 entitled“Serpentine Transmembrane Antigens Expressed in Human Cancers and UsesThereof,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,928 entitled “Method of Treating BladderCancer Cells,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,688 entitled “Method for Localisationand Therapy of Occult Bladder Cancer,” United States Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0056986 entitled “Methods of Treating BladderCancer,” United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0119440entitled “Combination with Bis(Thiohydrazide Amides) for TreatingCancer,” United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0064047entitled “Methods for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Epithelial Cancers,”United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0161580 entitled“Anti-Tumor Compounds with Angeloyl Groups,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0276872 entitled “CompositionComprising Xanthoceras Sorbifolia Extracts, Compounds Isolated fromSame, Methods for Preparing Same and Uses Thereof,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2004/0253265 entitled “BiologicalCompositions and Methods for Treatment of Bladder Cancer,” and UnitedStates Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0123465 entitled“TGF-ALPHA Polypeptides, Functional Fragments and Methods of UseTherefor,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety—including all references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,734 appears to disclose compositions of matter andmethods wherein chalcone (an aromatic ketone) and flavone derivativesare administered to human or veterinary patients for the treatment ofbladder or urinary tract cancer. One specific compound disclosed in the'734 patent includes 2′-hydroxy-4,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,268,120 appears to disclose a pharmaceuticalcomposition, comprising a non-infectious, non-integrating polynucleotideconstruct comprising a polynucleotide encoding an interferon ω and oneor more cationic compounds. The '120 patent also discloses methods oftreating cancer in a mammal, comprising administering into a muscle ofthe mammal a non-infectious, non-integrating DNA polynucleotideconstruct comprising a polynucleotide encoding a cytokine. In addition,the '120 patent discloses methodologies for selective transfection ofmalignant cells with polynucleotides expressing therapeutic orprophylactic molecules in intra-cavity tumor bearing mammals. Morespecifically, the '120 patent provides a methodology for the suppressionof an intra-cavity dissemination of malignant cells, such asintraperitoneal dissemination. Furthermore, the '120 patent disclosescompositions and methods to deliver polynucleotides encodingpolypeptides to vertebrate cells in vivo, where the compositioncomprises an aqueous solution of sodium phosphate.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,438 appears to disclose a family of cell surfaceserpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this familyare exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well asin prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed“STEAP” (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate). Fourparticular human STEAPs are described and characterized in the '438patent. The human STEAPs exhibit a high degree of structuralconservation among them but show no significant structural homology toany known human proteins. The prototype member of the STEAP family,STEAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressedpredominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally,STEAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a moleculartopology of six transmembrane domains and intracellular N- andC-termini, suggesting that it folds in a “serpentine” manner into threeextracellular and two intracellular loops. STEAP-1 protein expression ismaintained at high levels across various stages of prostate cancer.Moreover, STEAP-1 is highly over-expressed in certain other humancancers.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,928 appears to disclose methods and compositions fortreating bladder cancer using TGF-alpha or EGF fused to PE₄₀ or cysteinemodified derivatives. The '928 patent also discloses a method ofproducing TGF-alpha-PE₄₀ derivatives of enhanced potency.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,688 appears to disclose intravesical electromotiveadministration of specified dye substances for localisation andtreatment of occult bladder cancers. Innocuous dye substances providedifferential staining of cancerous and normal urothelium; and anticancerdye substances demonstrate differential staining and also initiatetherapy of cancerous lesions. The addition of vasodilating agentsaccentuate the differential staining and further promote therapy of thecancerous sites.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0056986 appears todisclose methods and compositions for treating bladder cancer, includingmetastatic bladder cancer and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, byadministering a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise ataxane (a diterpene and an albumin.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0119440 appears todisclose methods of treating a proliferative disease, such as cancer,with bis(thio-hydrazide amides) or a tautomer, pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in combinationwith hyperthermia treatment. The '440 reference also discloses treatinga proliferative disease, such as cancer, with bis(thio-hydrazide amides)or a tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, orprodrug thereof, in combination with radiotherapy.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0064047 appears todisclose that three proteins, Cystatin B, Chaperonin 10, and Profilinare present in the urine of patients with bladder cancer. Accordingly,the '047 reference discloses methods for prognostic evaluation ofcancers of epithelial origin and to methods for facilitating diagnosisof cancers of epithelial origin by monitoring the presence of thesemarkers in biological samples. The '047 reference is also directed tomarkers for therapeutic efficacy.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0161580 appears todisclose a method for treating cancer by blocking the migration,metastasis of cancer cells, growth of cancers wherein the cancerscomprise breast cancer, leukocyte cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer,bladder cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer,leukemia cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, CNS cancer, melanoma cancer,renal cancer or cervix cancer. The '580 reference discloses the use ofcompositions comprising a triterpenoidal saponin, triterpenoid,triterpenoidal compound or sapongenin, having at least two side groupsselected from the group consisting of angeloyl groups, tigloyl groupsand senecioyl groups, wherein the side groups are attached to carbon 21,22 or/and 28 of triterpenoidal sapogenin, triterpenoid, triterpenoidalcompound or other sapongenin backbones.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0276872 appears todisclose compositions, methods and process of producing extracts andpure compounds from Xanthoceras sorbifolia. The extract comprisessaponins and other constituents including alkaloids, coumarins,saccharides, proteins, polysaccharides, glycosides, tannins, acid,flavonoids and others. The '872 reference discloses compositions thatare used for treating cancer and other conditions, such as arthritis,rheumatism, poor circulation, arteriosclerosis, Raynaud's syndrome,angina pectoris, cardiac disorder, coronary heart disease, headache,kidney disorder, and impotence; for improving cerebral functions; or forcuring enuresis, frequent micturition, urinary incontinence, dementia,weak intelligence and Alzheimer's disease, autism, brain trauma,Parkinson's, cerebral dysfunctions, and treating arthritis, rheumatism,poor circulation, arteriosclerosis, Raynaud's syndrome, angina pectoris,cardiac disorder, headache, dizziness, kidney disorder. The '872reference discloses compounds of oleanene triterpenoidal saponin innature with the characteristics that at least one angeloyl group isattached to carbon 21 or/and 22, or/and is linked to the sugar.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0253265 appears todisclose pharmaceutical compositions and dietary supplements comprisingyeast cells that can produce a healthful benefit in a subject inflictedwith bladder cancer. The biological compositions can be used to retardthe growth of bladder cancer cells and/or prolonging the time ofsurvival of the subject.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0123465 appears todisclose TGF-α polypeptides, related polypeptides, fragments andmimetics thereof useful in stimulating stem cell or precursor cellproliferation, migration and differentiation. The '465 reference appearsto disclose methods that are useful to treat tissue injury as well asexpand stem cell populations in, or obtained from, gastrointestinal,musculoskeletal, urogenital, neurological and cardiovascular tissues.The methods include ex vivo and in vivo applications.

While the above-identified medical treatments, as disclosed hereinabove,appear to provide at least treatment to those with bladder cancer, suchtreatment remains non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, amongother things, none of the above-identified treatments provide sufficientresults from the debilitating effects of bladder cancer without materialdrawbacks. As such, there remains a genuine demand for non-invasiveand/or substantially non-invasive medical treatments that are effectiveand that remedy the detriments and/or complications associated with theabove-identified remedies.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new,useful, and nonobvious method for treating bladder cancer.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating bladder cancer comprising the step of: administering anisothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by bladdercancer, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises atleast one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphaticand/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method for treatingbladder cancer further comprises the step of removing the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant from the area affected by bladder cancer after aperiod of time.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directedto a method for treating bladder cancer comprising the steps of: (a)administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional groupassociated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of theisothiocyanate functional surfactant; (b) removing the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant from the area affected by bladder cancer after aperiod of time; and (c) repeating the steps of administering andremoving the isothiocyanate functional surfactant to/from the affectedarea.

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating bladdercancer comprising the step of: associating an area affected by bladdercancer with an isothiocyanate functional surfactant, wherein theisothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least oneisothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/oraromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.

The present invention is further directed to a method for treatingbladder cancer comprising the step of: administering a lysine derivativeto an area affected by bladder cancer, wherein the lysine derivativecomprises an α-nitrogen and a ϵ-nitrogen, and wherein an alkyl and/oralkanoyl substituent comprising at least approximately 8 carbon atoms isassociated with the α-nitrogen, and further wherein at least oneisothiocyanate functional group is associated with the ϵ-nitrogen.

The present invention is still further directed to a method for treatingbladder cancer comprising the step of: administering a surfactant to anarea affected by bladder cancer, wherein the protonated form of thesurfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein the surfactant comprises a non-polar moiety (NP) and a polarmoiety (P), and wherein at least one isothiocyanate functional group(NCS) is associated with the polar and/or non-polar moiety.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating bladder cancer comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the protonated form of thesurfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s).

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating bladdercancer comprising the step of: administering a surfactant or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an area affected by bladdercancer, wherein the protonated form of the surfactant is represented bythe following chemical structure:

wherein X comprises an integer ranging from approximately 1 toapproximately 25, and wherein Y comprises an integer ranging fromapproximately 6 to approximately 25.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a methodfor treating bladder cancer comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the protonated form of thesurfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating bladder cancer, comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the protonated form of thesurfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein X comprisesa counter cation such as, but not limited to, alkali metals, alkalineearth metals, transition metals, s-block metals, d-block metals, p-blockmetals, NZ₄ ⁺, wherein Z comprises, H, R₆, and/or OR₆, and wherein R₆comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyanogroup containing approximately 1 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s),wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, ahalogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or morefunctional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts,phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; a linkage to a dimer; alinkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to a polymer.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directedto a method for treating bladder cancer as disclosed supra, furthercomprising the step of administering an additional surfactant, whereinthe additional surfactant is selected from at least one of the groupcomprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationicsurfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and/or described herein in detailseveral specific embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments illustrated.

In accordance with the present invention, surprisingly effective methodsfor treating bladder cancer are provided herein. In particular, thesemethods include treating a plurality of types of bladder cancer, suchas, but not limited to, urothelial carcinoma, transitional cellcarcinoma, papillary carcinomas, flat carcinomas, squamous cellcarcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and sarcoma—just toname a few.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating bladder cancer comprising the steps of administering one ormore isothiocyanate functional surfactants to an area affected bybladder cancer. Preferably, the isothiocyanate functional surfactantcomprises one or more isothiocyanate functional groups associated withan aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant. It will be understood that an area affected bybladder cancer may comprise areas proximate and/or contiguous to areaswhere a tumor or growth are present and/or bladder cancer markers arepresent. It will be further understood that isothiocyanate functionalsurfactants, regardless of their ordinary meaning, are defined herein asa surfactant having an isothiocyanate functional group associatedtherewith. It will be yet further understood that the term associated asused herein in chemical context, regardless of its ordinary meaning, isdefined herein as attached, a covalent bond, a polar covalent bond, anionic bond, a hydrogen bond, van der Waals forces, electrostaticinteraction, directly and/or indirectly linked, etcetera.

The term surfactant derives from contraction of the termssurface-active-agent and is defined herein as a molecule and/or group ofmolecules which are able to modify the interfacial properties of theliquids (aqueous and non-aqueous) in which they are present. Thesurfactant properties of these molecules reside in their amphiphiliccharacter which stems from the fact that each surfactant molecule hasboth a hydrophilic moiety and a hydrophobic (or lipophilic) moiety, andthat the extent of each of these moieties is balanced so that atconcentrations at or below the critical micelle concentration (i.e.,CMC) they generally concentrate at the air-liquid interface andmaterially decrease the interfacial tension. For example, sodium saltsof saturated carboxylic acids are extremely soluble in water up to C8length and are thus not true surfactants. They become less soluble inwater from C9 up to C18 length, the domain of effective surfactants forthis class of compounds. The carboxylic acids (fatty acids) can beeither saturated or unsaturated starting from C16 chain lengths.

Without being bound by any one particular theory, it is believed thatthe isothiocyanate functional surfactants disclosed herein facilitatetreatment of numerous forms of bladder cancer by boosting the body'simmune system. It is also believed that the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactants disclosed herein facilitate elevating phase II enzymes(e.g., HAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase) which are believed to, amongother things regulate inflammatory responses within the body, as well asdetoxify carcinogens and/or activated carcinogens.

In accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactants may be used as an administered leave-on/leave-in product inwhich one or more surfactants remain on/in the bladder and are notimmediately and/or ever removed from the bladder. Alternatively, theisothiocyanate functional surfactants of the present invention may beused in a administer and remove fashion. For either case, it ispreferred that the isothiocyanate functional surfactants be generallymild to human bladder (e.g., non-irritating or low-irritating). Inparticular, anionic N-alkanoyl surfactants derived from amino acids areespecially preferred because, while not completely predictable, theyhave a tendency to be mild. The methods of preparation detailed in thisinvention employ, but are not limited to, amino acids that possess atleast two amine functionalities, at least one of which is converted toan N-alkanoyl functionality, and at least one of which is converted intoisothiocyanate functionality. The amino acids include, but are notlimited to, the α-amino acids lysine, ornithine, 2,4-diaminobutanoicacid, 2,3-diaminoproprionic acid, 2,7-diaminoheptanoic acid, and2,8-diaminooctanoic acid. Additionally, amino acids other than α-aminoacids may be employed, such as β-amino acids, etcetera. It will beunderstood that amino acid derived surfactants are preferred due totheir mild nature, but any one of a number of other surfactants arelikewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention.

Methods for preparing isothiocyanate functional surfactants and/or theirprecursors can involve, but are not limited to, conversion of an aminefunctionality to an isothiocyanate functionality. The methods ofconversion of amine functionalities to isothiocyanate functionalitiesinclude, but are not limited to: (1) reaction with carbon disulfide toyield an intermediate dithiocarbamate, followed by reaction withethylchloroformate or its functional equivalent such asbis(trichloromethyl)-carbonate, trichloromethyl chloroformate, orphosgene; (2) reaction with thiophosgene; (3) reaction with1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidizole; (4) reaction with phenylthiochloroformate;(5) reaction with ammonium or alkali metal thiocyanate to prepare anintermediate thiourea followed by cleaving to the isothiocyanate viaheating; and (6) reaction with an isothiocyanato acyl halide[SCN—(CH₂)_(n)—CO—Cl]. The resulting isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant, depending on the method of preparation, can be isolated as apure material or as a mixture with other surfactants. The resultingisothiocyanate functional surfactant, depending on the method ofpreparation, can be isolated and used directly in nonionic form, anionicform, cationic form, zwitterionic (amphoteric) form, and/or in a neutralsurfactant-precursor form in combination with a base such as sodiumhydroxide or triethanol amine if the neutral surfactant-precursor formpossesses a protonated carboxylic acid group such that reaction(deprotonation) with the base converts the neutral surfactant-precursorform to an anionic surfactant, or in neutral surfactant-precursor formin combination with an acid if the neutral surfactant-precursor formpossess amine functionality such that reaction (protonation) with theacid converts the neutral surfactant-precursor form to a cationicsurfactant.

In accordance with the present invention the step of administeringcomprises, but is not limited to, systemic administration, localinjection, regional injection, spraying, dripping, dabbing, rubbing,blotting, dipping, and any combination thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant is removed from the affected area after a periodof time. Such a period comprises, but is not limited to, seconds (e.g.,1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30seconds, 45 seconds, and 60 seconds), minutes (e.g., 1 minute, 2minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45minutes, and 60 minutes), hours (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 5hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, and 60hours), days (e.g., 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7days, 10 days, 14 days, 21 days, 30 days), etcetera. It will beunderstood that the step of removing preferably occurs via purging,rinsing, wiping, and/or extracting—just to name a few.

Depending upon the subject and/or the severity of the bladder cancer,multiple administrations may be necessary. As such, the steps ofadministering and/or removing the isothiocyanate functional surfactantmay be repeated one or a plurality of times.

The present invention is also directed to a method for treating bladdercancer comprising the steps of associating (using any known medicaltechnique) a lysine derivative to an area affected by bladder cancer,wherein the lysine derivative comprises an α-nitrogen and a ϵ-nitrogen.Preferably, an alkyl substituent comprising at least approximately 8carbon atoms is associated with the α-nitrogen. Preferably, at least oneisothiocyanate functional group is associated with the ϵ-nitrogen.

The present invention is further directed to a method for treatingbladder cancer comprising the steps of: administering a surfactant to anarea affected by bladder cancer, wherein the surfactant is representedby the following chemical structure:

and wherein the surfactant comprises a non-polar moiety (NP) and a polarmoiety (P), and wherein at least one isothiocyanate functional group(NCS) is associated with the polar and/or non-polar moiety.

The present invention is yet further directed to a method for treatingbladder cancer, comprising the step of: administering a surfactant or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an area affected by bladdercancer, wherein the protonated form of the surfactant is represented bythe following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s).

In this embodiment, the surfactant is preferably represented by thefollowing chemical structure:

wherein X comprises an integer ranging from approximately 1 toapproximately 25, and wherein Y comprises an integer ranging fromapproximately 6 to approximately 25.

More preferably, the surfactant is represented by the following chemicalstructure:

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating bladder cancer comprising the step of: administering asurfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the protonated form of thesurfactant is represented by the following chemical structure:

wherein R₁ comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer; wherein R₂ comprises NCS; wherein R₃-R₅ are the same ordifferent and comprise H; OH; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl,alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containing approximately 1 toapproximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be alinking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containingmoiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols,esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; alinkage to a dimer; a linkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to apolymer with the proviso that at least one of R₃-R₅ comprise an alkyl,cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl,alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyano group containingapproximately 8 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s), wherein X comprisesa counter cation such as, but not limited to, alkali metals, alkalineearth metals, transition metals, s-block metals, d-block metals, p-blockmetals, NZ₄ ⁺, wherein Z comprises, H, R₆, and/or OR₆, and wherein R₆comprises an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or cyanogroup containing approximately 1 to approximately 25 carbon atom(s),wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, ahalogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or morefunctional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts,phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; a linkage to a dimer; alinkage to an oligomer; and/or a linkage to a polymer.

In accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanate functionalsurfactant may also be associated with one or more additionalsurfactants, wherein the additional surfactants are selected from atleast one of the group comprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionicsurfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of preferred anionic surfactants include taurates;isethionates; alkyl and alkyl ether sulfates; succinamates; alkylsulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates; olefin sulfonates; alkoxy alkanesulfonates; sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids derived fromnatural plant or animal sources or synthetically prepared; sodium,potassium, ammonium, and alkylated ammonium salts of alkylated andacylated amino acids and peptides; alkylated sulfoacetates; alkylatedsulfosuccinates; acylglyceride sulfonates, alkoxyether sulfonates;phosphoric acid esters; phospholipids; and combinations thereof.Specific anionic surfactants contemplated for use include, but are by nomeans limited to, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoylisethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium stearoyl isethionate,sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium laurylsarcosinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium laurylsulfoacetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, TEA cocoylalaninate, sodium cocoyl taurate, potassium cetyl phosphate.

Non-limiting examples of preferred cationic surfactants includealkylated quaternary ammonium salts R₄NX; alkylated amino-amides(RCONH—(CH₂)_(n))NR₃X; alkylimidazolines; alkoxylated amines; andcombinations thereof. Specific examples of anionic surfactantscontemplated for use include, but are by no means limited to, cetylammonium chloride, cetyl ammonium bromide, lauryl ammonium chloride,lauryl ammonium bromide, stearyl ammonium chloride, stearyl ammoniumbromide, cetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, stearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl ammoniumbromide, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl trimethyl ammoniumbromide, lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl cetylditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, dicetyl ammonium chloride, dilaurylammonium chloride, dilauryl ammonium bromide, distearyl ammoniumchloride, distearyl ammonium bromide, dicetyl methyl ammonium chloride,dicetyl methyl ammonium bromide, dilauryl methyl ammonium chloride,distearyl methyl ammonium chloride, distearyl methyl ammonium bromide,ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallow dimethyl ammonium sulfate,di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenatedtallow) dimethyl ammonium acetate, ditallow dipropyl ammonium phosphate,ditallow dimethyl ammonium nitrate, di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammoniumchloride, di(coconutalkyl)dimethyl ammonium bromide, tallow ammoniumchloride, coconut ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl PG-imoniumchloride phosphate, stearamidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate,stearimidopropyldimethyl (myristyl acetate) ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl dimethyl cetearyl ammonium tosylate, stearamidopropyldimethyl ammonium chloride, stearamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium lactate,ditallowyl oxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, behenamidopropyl PGdimonium chloride, dilauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearlydimethyl ammonium chloride, dimyristyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dipalmityl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, stearamidoproyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate,stearamidopropyl ethyldiammonium ethosulfate, stearamidopropyl dimethyl(myristyl acetate) ammonium chloride, stearimidopropyl diemthyl cetarylammonium tosylate, stearamido propyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium lactate.

Non-limiting examples of preferred non-ionic surfactants includealcohols, alkanolamides, amine oxides, esters (including glycerides,ethoxylated glycerides, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters,carbohydrate esters, ethoxylated carboxylic acids, phosphoric acidtriesters), ethers (including ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl glucosides,ethoxylated polypropylene oxide ethers, alkylated polyethylene oxides,alkylated polypropylene oxides, alkylated PEG/PPO copolymers), siliconecopolyols. Specific examples of non-ionic surfactants contemplated foruse include, but are by no means limited to, cetearyl alcohol,ceteareth-20, nonoxynol-9, C12-15 pareth-9, POE(4) lauryl ether,cocamide DEA, glycol distearate, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate,sorbitan stearate, PEG-8 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 trilaurate, laurylglucoside, octylphenoxy-polyethoxyethanol, PEG-4 laurate, polyglyceryldiisostearate, polysorbate-60, PEG-200 isostearyl palmitate, sorbitanmonooleate, polysorbate-80.

Non-limiting examples of preferred zwitterionic or amphotericsurfactants include betaines; sultaines; hydroxysultaines, amidobetaines, amidosulfo betaines; and combinations thereof. Specificexamples of amphoteric surfactants contemplated for use include, but areby no means limited to, cocoamidopropyl sultaine, cocoamidopropylhydroxyl sultaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine, coco dimethyl carboxymethylbetaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethylalphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cetyldimethyl betaine, lauryl (2-bishydroxy) carboxymethyl betaine, stearylbis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oelyl dimethylgamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alphacarboxymethyl betaine, coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyldimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, laurylbis(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine, oleyl betaine, cocamidopropylbetaine.

In further accordance with the present invention, the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant may optionally be incorporated into a formulationcomprising one or more solvents. Preferably, the solvent comprises ahydrocarbon and/or silicone oil that is generally non-hygroscopic and/orgenerally hydrophobic. Suitable examples, include, silicone basedsolvents and/or fluids, mineral oil, vegetable oils, squalene (i.e.,2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane)—just to name a few.

The invention is further described by the following examples.

EXAMPLE I Preparation of a mixture ofN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine with N_(α),N_(ϵ)-bis-lauroyl-L-lysine

A 1 liter beaker equipped with an overhead mechanical stainless steelpaddle stirrer was charged with 100 mL of 1 M NaOH (0.100 mol). Stirringwas begun and the beaker cooled to −5° C. to −10° C. using a salt/icebath. Next, 23.4 g (0.100 mol) of N_(ϵ)-benzylidene-L-lysine (preparedvia the method of Bezas, B and Zervas, L., JACS, 83, 1961, 719-722) wasadded. Immediately afterward and while keeping the solution cold, 140 mL(0.140 mol) of precooled (in a salt/ice bath) 1 M NaOH and 26.1 mL oflauroyl chloride was added in two equal portions over a period of 6minutes. The mixture was stirred for 10 more minutes at −5 to −10° C.,then the ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture allowed to stirfor another 1 hour while warming to room temperature. Next, the reactionmixture was cooled using a salt/ice bath and then sufficientconcentrated HCl was added to adjust the pH to 7.5-7.8. With the pH at7.8-7.8 and with continued cooling and stirring, 4.6 mL (60% ofstoichiometric, 0.068 mol) of thiophosgene was added drop-wise via anadditional funnel over the period of 1 hour. During this time,sufficient 1 M NaOH was added to maintain a pH range between 7.5-7.8.After the thiophosgene addition was complete, additional 1 M NaOH wasadded as necessary until the pH stabilized in 7.5-7.8 range. Next,sufficient 30% NaOH was added to adjust the pH to approximately 8.5.Next, 12 mL (0.051 mol) of lauroyl chloride was rapidly added, followedby sufficient 1 M NaOH to keep the pH in the range of 8.00-8.50. Next,sufficient concentrated HCl was added to adjust the pH to 1.5. Thereaction mixture was filtered via vacuum filtration, and the precipitatewashed with dilute HCl (pH=2). The product, a white moist solid, wasdried in vacuo while heating to 60° C. 45.19 g of white solid productwas recovered, a mixture of predominantlyN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-isothiocyanato-L-lysine andN_(α),N_(ϵ)-bis-lauroyl-L-lysine (determined via LC-MS analysis). Bothcompounds in this mixture can be simultaneously converted into anionic(carboxylate) surfactants via reaction with aqueous NaOH to yield aclear aqueous solution of the surfactants.

EXAMPLE II Preparation of PureN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine Step 1: Preparation ofN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-carbobenzoxy-L-Lysine

60.0 g of N_(ϵ)-cbz-L-Lysine (cbz is carbobenzoxy) purchased fromAtomole Scientific Company, LTD was added to a three-liter beaker alongwith 1200 mL of RO water and the mixture was stirred. Next, 39 mL of 30%aqueous NaOH was added, resulting in dissolution of theN_(ϵ)-cbz-L-Lysine. The resulting solution was cooled in an ice bath andthen 52.5 mL of lauroyl chloride was added. The ice bath was removed 30minutes later, and stirring continued for an additional six hours, atwhich time 18 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. Thereaction mixture was then filtered via vacuum filtration, the whitesolid product washed with 1 M aqueous HCl, and then the solid productwas dried in vacuo while heated to approximately 85° C. 96.5 g of drywhite solid product was obtained. The product can be further purified bydissolving it in methanol, filtering off any insoluble precipitate, andremoving the methanol in vacuo to recover a white solid product (mp99.5-103.0° C.)

Step 2: Preparation of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-ammonium chloride-L-Lysine

10.0 g of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-carbobenzoxy-L-Lysine was weighed into aone liter Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar. 150 mL ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid was added and the solution was stirredand heated in an oil bath to 104° C., then allowed to cool with the oilbath back to room temperature. The solution was then cooled to 9° C. forapproximately four hours, during which time a large mass of whiteprecipitate formed. The reaction mixture was filtered in vacuo andrinsed with a small amount of cold 1 M HCl. The white solid reactionproduct was then dried in vacuo while being heated to 78° C., yielding7.89 g of white solid product (mp 191-193° C.).

Step 3: Preparation of N_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-isothiocyanato-L-Lysine

0.46 mL of thiophosgene was added to 30 mL of dichloromethane in a 125mL Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar. To this solutionwas drop wise added over 15 minutes a solution consisting of 2.00 gN_(α)-lauroyl-N_(ϵ)-ammonium chloride-L-Lysine, 10 mL RO water, and 2.7mL 20% aqueous NaOH. Stirring was continued for an additional 30minutes, after which sufficient concentrated hydrochloric acid was addedto lower the pH to 1 as indicated by testing with pHydrion paper. Thereaction solution was then transferred into a separatory funnel and thebottom turbid dichloromethane layer was isolated and dried withanhydrous magnesium sulfate and gravity filtered. To the filtrate wasadded 50 mL of hexanes. The solution was then concentrated via removalof 34 mL of solvent via trap-to-trap distillation and then placed in a−19° C. freezer. A mass of white precipitate formed after a few hoursand was isolated via vacuum filtration and then dried in vacuo for 2hours. 1.130 g of a slightly off white solid powder product was obtained[mp 37.0-39.0° C.; IR (cm⁻¹), 3301sb, 2923s, 2852s, 2184m, 2099s, 1721s,1650s, 1531s, 1456m, 1416w, 1347m, 1216m, 1136w].

The oils and/or solvents employed hereinabove are provided for thepurposes of illustration, and are not to be construed as limiting theinvention in any way. As such, the oils may be liquid, solid, or gel,and may be synthetic or of natural origin and include but are notlimited to waxes, esters, lipids, fats, glycerides, cyclic silicones,linear silicones, crosslinked silicones, alkylsilicones, siliconecopolyols, alkylated silicone copolyols, and/or hydrocarbons, and/orethoxylated versions of all of these.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for treating bladder cancer, comprisingthe step(s) of: administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant toan area affected by bladder cancer, wherein the isothiocyanatefunctional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functionalgroup associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of theisothiocyanate functional surfactant.
 14. The method for treatingbladder cancer, according to claim 13, further comprising the step ofadministering an additional surfactant, wherein the additionalsurfactant is selected from at least one of the group comprising anon-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, azwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method fortreating bladder cancer, according to claim 13, wherein the bladdercancer is selected from one of the groups comprising urothelialcarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, papillary carcinomas, flatcarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cellcarcinoma, and sarcoma.
 16. The method for treating bladder cancer,according to claim 15, further comprising the step of administering anadditional surfactant, wherein the additional surfactant is selectedfrom at least one of the group comprising a non-ionic surfactant, ananionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant,and combinations thereof.
 17. A method for treating bladder cancer,comprising the step(s) of: administering a lysine derivative to an areaaffected by bladder cancer, wherein the lysine derivative comprises anα-nitrogen and a ϵ-nitrogen, and wherein an alkyl and/or alkanoylsubstituent comprising at least approximately 8 carbon atoms isassociated with the α-nitrogen, and further wherein at least oneisothiocyanate functional group is associated with the ϵ-nitrogen. 18.The method for treating bladder cancer, according to claim 17, furthercomprising the step of administering a surfactant, wherein thesurfactant is selected from at least one of the group comprising anon-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, azwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
 19. The method fortreating bladder cancer, according to claim 18, wherein the bladdercancer is selected from one of the groups comprising urothelialcarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, papillary carcinomas, flatcarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cellcarcinoma, and sarcoma.
 20. The method for treating bladder cancer,according to claim 17, further comprising the step of administering asurfactant, wherein the surfactant is selected from at least one of thegroup comprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, acationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinationsthereof.
 21. A method for treating bladder cancer, comprising thestep(s) of: administering a surfactant or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof to an area affected by bladder cancer, wherein theprotonated form of the surfactant is represented by the followingchemical structure:

wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl groupcontaining 1 to 25 carbon atom(s); wherein R₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of NCS; and wherein R₃-R₅ are each independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H; OH; and an alkyl, and alkanoyl groupcontaining 1 to 25 carbon atom(s) with the proviso that at least one ofR₃-R₅ is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl, and alkanoyl,group containing 8 to 25 carbon atoms.
 22. The method for treatingbladder cancer, according to claim 21, further comprising the step ofadministering an additional surfactant, wherein the additionalsurfactant is selected from at least one of the group comprising anon-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, azwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
 23. The method fortreating bladder cancer, according to claim 22, wherein the bladdercancer is selected from one of the groups comprising urothelialcarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, papillary carcinomas, flatcarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cellcarcinoma, and sarcoma.
 24. The method for treating bladder cancer,according to claim 21, further comprising the step of administering anadditional surfactant, wherein the additional surfactant is selectedfrom at least one of the group comprising a non-ionic surfactant, ananionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant,and combinations thereof.